This week at the movies: The live-action remake of The Jungle Book lights up the screen (and steals our hearts); a death-row inmate undergoes a neurosurgical procedure and receives the memories and sharp skills of a CIA agent; and the fourth Barbershop film delivers plenty of good humor (per usual) and a good message to boot…
The Jungle Book
Raised by a family of wolves since birth, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) must leave the only home he's ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a no-nonsense panther (Ben Kingsley) and a free-spirited bear (Bill Murray), the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure. Directed by Jon Favreau.
Perfect for: This one is spectacular for the whole family; animals, adventure, and amazing special effects – the entertainment value is clearly killer.
What the Critics Say: The critics definitely approve (to say the least). Not only is the story well done and full of excitement, but the visual effects are also out of this world (the movie was filmed entirely in downtown LA, so literally everything – from the stunningly lifelike animals to the breathtaking scenery – is computer generated). Variety raves: “So immersively does the film’s visual-effects team craft every tree, waterfall and flower of Rudyard Kipling’s fantastical subcontinental setting, and so carefully are the talking CGI animals rendered, it almost beggars belief that the whole thing was shot in a 12-story building overlooking the 110 freeway… Maintaining the buoyant heartbeat beneath all the digital flash, Favreau never loses sight of the fact that he’s making an adventure story for children… and when positive word of mouth arrives to buttress Disney’s all-out marketing efforts, the studio should have a substantial hit on its hands.”
Our Take: Disney’s animated version of The Jungle Book will always be a classic, but this live-action remake looks absolutely epic. We’re “roaring” to go…
Criminal
CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) dies while traveling to a secret location to meet a hacker who can launch missiles at will. Desperate to find his whereabouts, officials turn to an experimental neurosurgeon who can transfer memories from one brain to another. The guinea pig for the procedure is Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner), a violent and dangerous death-row inmate. Now gifted with Pope's skills and knowledge, Stewart must race against time to stop a sinister international conspiracy. Also starring Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones.
Perfect for: Fans of intense action movies, with a hint of sci-fi (the movie’s mysterious mind-swapping medical technology is what we are referring to here).
What the Critics Say: Criminal is full of “slam-bang” action, but the story itself may be a little one-dimensional. The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as “a staggeringly far-fetched carnival of action,” while A.V. Club compliments the movie’s premise over its plot: “Criminal [is] a high-concept thriller that teeters like a seesaw between deranged and dull… Chases – of which there are many – become series of randomly chosen angles and no one seems to be shooting in any direction in particular… A viewer might find themselves appreciating the movie’s craziness while wishing that it were more pervasive.”
Our Take: Regardless, this movie is definitely full of energy; if you’re an action-junky, then Criminal may just be the ticket this weekend…
Barbershop: The Next Cut
To survive harsh economic times, Calvin (Ice Cube) and Angie (Regina Hall) have merged the barbershop and beauty salon into one business. The days of male bonding are gone as Eddie and the crew must now contend with sassy female co-workers and spirited clientele. As the battle of the sexes rages on, a different kind of conflict has taken over Chicago. Crime and gangs are on the rise, leaving Calvin worried about the fate of his son. Together, the friends come up with a bold plan to take back their beloved neighborhood. Also starring Nicki Minaj, Cedric the Entertainer, Tyga, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve, Anthony Anderson, and Common.
Perfect for: Those who enjoy comedies, and those who have faithfully followed the Barbershop movie franchise (this one is the fourth film).
What the Critics Say: Very funny, yet also deep; The Next Cut takes on social, racial, and political issues, but without losing any of its lighthearted hilarity. According to A.V. Club’s review, the ensemble cast also gives us a ton of new characters that all help to “[revive] the warm familiarity of Barbershop.” Furthermore: “The Next Cut doesn’t feel like a musty revival because it has such a simple, durable, comfortable premise: Calvin’s barbershop hosts a variety of conversational riffing and romantic entanglements while eventually facing some kind of threat to its South Side neighborhood in Chicago… At times, Calvin’s (and by extension, the movie’s) anger and frustration with neighborhood violence makes the film feel like a companion piece to Spike Lee’s recent Chi-Raq… [But] the best part about any Barbershop movie: watching a lot of funny, charming actors (and sometimes also rapper/actors) enjoy the opportunity to chat, philosophize, or even express political opinions – something a lot of studio comedies work strenuously to avoid.”
Our Take: A comedy with a message, plus an ensemble cast with this many big names? We think it’s safe to say to expect some good laughs, and some good social and political food for thought as well…
To watch the trailer, visit barbershopmovie.com.